Paddle boats will be available on Barrett Pond

LEOMINSTER -- Barrett Pond is the centerpiece for one of the city's most popular outdoor destinations, but it's been underused for a long time, Mayor Dean J. Mazzarella said.

This summer, with the addition of six new paddle boats available for hourly rental, residents will now be able to enjoy the water along with the area around it, he said.

There's still no swimming at the pond, but the boats, which start renting out July 5, will be a new attraction to a successful summer Recreation Department program, Mazzarella said Monday.

"You'd be amazed at how many people already go to (Barrett Park), but I think this will bring even more families in," Mazzarella said. "There's a lot of people looking for fun things to do right at home, and we're trying to provide them."

The boats, along with life vests, cost $3,969, according to Recreation Department Director Judith Sumner. They were paid for out of the department's revolving account, which is income through various program fees.

They will be available on a first-come, first-served basis from July 5 to Aug. 13, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon to 5 p.m. on weekends. The first hour is $10 and subsequent hours are $6, Sumner said. Income from the rentals will go back into the revolving account.

A lifeguard will be on duty at the pond. While there is no swimming, Sumner said fishing from the paddle boats will be allowed.

"It's a beautiful place, but we'd never been able to open it up for boats until we got our own," she said.

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"If we can control the program, we can make sure it's safe."

Sumner said she's happy her department isn't slated to see any cuts to programs under Mazzarella's fiscal 2011 budget proposal. At about $400,000 -- the bulk of which is salary costs for full-time and seasonal staff members -- the department's budget is "a very minimal part" of the city's overall $97 million general fund, so they have to make it stretch, she said.

"I think the city realizes we provide safe and necessary activities for children during the summer months especially," she said. "A lot of parents rely on that."

The Recreation Department is actually adding programs this summer, including a remote-control model speedboat racing program (also at Barrett Park), the Summer Scene theater program -- which the city took over after the Multi-Service Center closed this year -- and additional sports camps, including lacrosse, which has been in demand for its first year.

And the department is also asking City Councilors to approve $65,000 in free cash to build an addition onto the old Barrett Park bathhouse, which will be used for some indoor programs, as well as give campers a place to go in case of inclement weather.

Mazzarella said the need is high, because the department currently leases space from the schools, and the interest in Recreation programs is growing.

"It's pretty amazing the things they've been able to do in some really difficult times," he said.

The Recreation Department's activities brochure is available on the city's website at www.leominster-ma.gov.

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